wfn.org | Augsburg Fortress Introduces Web-based Ministry Resource

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

February 18, 2002

AUGSBURG FORTRESS INTRODUCES WEB-BASED MINISTRY RESOURCE
02-033-JB

     CHICAGO (ELCA)   Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has introduced a Web-
based congregational ministry resource designed to help members and
non-members live out their faith anywhere they have access to the
Internet.
     The resource, "ReadyClickGrow," was introduced in January.  It
was developed through a partnership with Joy Resources, a joint
publishing venture of Augsburg Fortress and Community Church of Joy,
an ELCA congregation in Glendale, Ariz.
     ReadyClickGrow can be launched from any subscribing
congregation's Web site, and it is now available to congregations for
a 30-day trial period, said Bill Huff, general manager of
congregational resources, Augsburg Fortress, Minneapolis.
     "The idea is for congregations to have another reason for
people to visit their Web sites," Huff said.
     ReadyClickGrow is meant to enhance a congregation's ministry by
making biblically based materials and activities available to members
anytime they want them, he said.  The Web-based ministry resource is
a "home-centered and church-centered resource," Huff said.
     Presently, a ministry track called "ReadyClickGrow Your Family"
is available through the service, Huff said.  Resources for
individual users include Bible-based devotions and activities,
suggestions for building a family's relationship with God, faith
conversation ideas, games, special topics and help from experts on
various topics.  ReadyClickGrow Your Family also includes a separate
series of resources available for leaders of family ministries in
congregations.
     Later this year Augsburg Fortress plans to add ministry tracks
called "ReadyClickGrow Your Faith" and "ReadyClickGrow Your
Marriage," Huff said.  Each will have resources for individual users
and leaders.  Other topics will be added in future years, he said.
     To prepare for the unveiling of ReadyClickGrow, Augsburg
Fortress conducted focus groups and demonstrated the program on
selected ELCA congregational Web sites, including the Web site of
Community Church of Joy.
     Early response to the new product from focus groups and
participants at selected conferences has been positive, Huff said.
This year, the company is hoping to recruit 1,800 congregations as
subscribers to thre ReadyClickGrow ministry tracks, he said.  Annual
subscription fees are determined by the congregation's average weekly
worship attendance, Huff added.
-- -- --
     Information about ReadyClickGrow can be found at
http://www.readyclickgrow.com/ on at http://www.augsburgfortress.com,
the Augsburg Fortress Web site.
     Community Church of Joy can be found at
http://www.joyonline.org/ on the Web.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html